ECFS1006

COURSE OUTLINE

ECFS1006 Curriculum Development & Assessment

 

 

 

Course Description

This course provides students with an opportunity to understand the principles of planning, designing and implementing developmentally appropriate curricula and assessing children’s progress in the early childhood setting. Additionally they will learn how to plan, design, create and evaluate well-resourced learning centres.  Key concepts such as integrated curricula, child-centred and active learning as well as authentic assessment will be addressed. Play as a vehicle for holistic development will also be discussed.

Participants will have an opportunity to examine the benchmarks that have been set in their respective territories for achieving and maintaining quality education in the early childhood setting. Effective teaching strategies and creative use of materials for optimum learning will also form part of this course, and participants will be afforded the opportunity of demonstrating in practical settings their understanding of all that they have learnt.

 

Course Objectives  

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

Knowledge

1. Examine critically the importance of play in the early childhood curriculum.
2. Apply relevant theories to the selection of developmentally appropriate curricula for early childhood.
3. Explain active learning processes which are designed to engage young children.
4. Describe how learning centres can be organized so as to promote holistic development in young children.
5. Demonstrate competence in the selection of appropriate assessment methods for the EC curriculum.
6. Evaluate group management procedures. 

Attitude

1. Stimulate young learners to engage in active learning processes.
2. Value early childhood education and Developmentally Appropriate Practices in the ECCE environment.
3. Model professionalism in the practice of teaching.
4. Appreciate the fraternity of ECCE educators in their respective territories and internationally.
5. Exemplify the teacher as a reflective practitioner who constantly seeks new ways of enhancing teaching and learning.

Skills

 

1.     

Conduct assessment on children’s development.

 

2.     

Apply the principle of learning through play to new learning situations.

 

3.     

Plan and assess integrated activities for young children.

 

4.     

Use active learning approaches (theme and project approach) to organize learning activities.

 

5.     

Plan for teaching through the preparation of curriculum web and topic web as well as activity plans.

 

6.     

Organize learning centres and choose developmentally appropriate activities for each centre.

 

7.     

Create “teachables” from “trashables.”

 

8.     

Assess and evaluate components of an ECCE programme.